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"...The church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."
I Timothy 3:15


Making The King James Even Better

By Raymond Blanton


This is the claim by the Thomas Nelson Company (TNC) for their “New King James Bible.”

In a brochure published by them the KJV is pictured as an old worn out book with a man standing beside it with ancient style clothing on. TNC said, “...the King James Version is 368 years old... It has been cherished by so many for so long that letting it fall into disuse is unthinkable.”

With this noble desire to save the KJV from the cobwebs and dust they start out, “not to replacing the King James, but to making it even better.”

They said, “What has been needed is a revision of the time honored favorite that would make it more understandable without harming its poetic beauty or its inspired truth.”

I. Here are some examples of what they did to its poetic beauty in the Gospel of John:

1. “...Where are you staying?” (1:38)

2. “Then they said to Him. Who are You?” (8:25)

3. “Jesus said to them, Come and eat breakfast.” (21:12)

4. “Verily, verily,” has been replaced with “Most Assuredly.”


II. Here are some examples of what they did to its inspired truth in the Gospel of John:

1. The word “miracles” is replaced with “signs” in all places with the exception of one.

2. “For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure.” (3:34) The words “unto him” are omitted! It was only to the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ that the Holy Spirit was given without measure. No mortal could contain Him! The Pentecostals will like this verse.

3. “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do...” (8:44)
This verse leaves the impression that they might do otherwise. The Bible says, “the lusts of your father ye will do...”  The Modernists will like this verse.

4. In John 14:2 “mansions” are replaced with “dwelling places.”

5. In John 14:18, “comfortless” is replaced with “orphans” as it is in the NIV, Amplified New Testament, Douay Version, etc.

6. In John 20:17 Jesus told Mary, “Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father.”

In the New King James Bible it says, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father,” thus indicating that Mary took hold of Him.

The sacrifice of Himself had been made but not presented to the Father. She could not touch the sacrifice.

Who is the New King James better for?

It is obviously for the ENEMIES OF THE CROSS!